Dear Brother,
I fear your latest letter took longer to reach me than usual. It has found me within the Dúnedain fortress of Esteldín, off the path from the Order's main camp of Fornost Erain. There is business here that the Order must attend to before we regroup with the main force.
Much has happened since last I wrote to you, and I shall do my best to recount everything. I shall begin by saying that I have taken my oaths and have been sworn in to the ranks of the Order of the Hand of Númenor, led by Captain Belenir Thend of the House of Beleganor. I believe I briefly mentioned him in my last letter to you. In the time I have travelled with the Order, it is evident that the men and women under the Banner greatly respect him. Some of them fought alongside him during the war and followed him to the Plateau of Gorgoroth, which only shows their loyalty to their cause. They seem to respect me and my work, for they are largely a fighting force, and can always use more scholars amongst them
When the Order arrived in Esteldín, there has been superstition from the local Dúnedain, who seem to hold distain for us Gondorians, who did not send aid during their wars with Angmar, a land much like Mordor; corrupted by shadow. When we encountered their scouts upon the plains of the Kingsfell, we were blindfolded and escorted under armed guard into the fortress. It is said that they want the fortress to remain hidden from outsiders. Regardless, we have worked with them to gain their trust and present our cause. The Steward of Esteldín, Halbarad’s successor, a mysterious fellow who did not give his name, gave us his trust after a great battle near the Maw of Angmar, the gate to the Iron Home, that saw a sizeable force of remnants of the Enemy get shattered by a force of Men, Elves, and Dwarves.
Though this defeat was absolute, it then became evident our troubles would not stop there. Angmarim have been far more active within the North Downs since the demise of the Witch-King and the Dark Lord. Much like Mordor, there are multiple factions fighting for power. One of these factions that has raised concern amongst the Esteldín Dúnedain is led by the so-called “Heir of Angmar”, who dwells within the enemy fortress of Carn Dûm. Their armies are commanded a crimson and gold clad figure named Toragol, a cruel and devious warlord. The Hier’s banners seem to present the Iron Crown on a green field.
Anyway, for my work, as well as recognition for these events, Lord-Captain Belenir has appointed me as his Master of Lore, responsible for the Order’s lore archive and their artefacts. With this responsibility, I believe I am up to the task. I have been given charge of negotiating the alliance of the Order and the Dúnedain of the North.
I shall remain within Esteldín for some time, it is with hope that we can reach an agreement. Know that I am keeping well, and my skill with the quill and the blade ever improves.
No aer i eneth Helcharon. Padrad mi i calad.
Thandanar, on the twelfth day of Narwain in the 3020th year of the Third Age
